Mills Administration Statement on NOAAâs Release of Bi-Op May 27, 2021 Governor Janet Mills and Commissioner of Marine Resources Pat Keliher issued the following statements today on the release of the Biological Opinion, or Bi-Op, by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration: âThe Department of Marine Resources will conduct a thorough evaluation of the Bi-Op, but upon initial review, we are pleased that âno jeopardyâ was found,â said Governor Janet Mills. âHowever, the long-term ramifications of this document as it relates to the recovery of right whales and its impact on Maine fisheries over the next ten years remain troubling. In particular, the Bi-Op highlights not only the importance of Canada taking significant steps to reduce right whale mortality, but also the need for NOAA to be able to quantify how risk reduction measures by Canada can reverse the declining trend in the whale population. Failure of either could ultimately lead to unnecessary restrictions in the U.S. -- and that is not acceptable.â